Are the Lakers vulnerable in the first round?

Jan. 29, 2010

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Mark Whicker takes a look at the first-round obstacles, and potential potholes, for the Lakers. KEVIN SULLIVAN, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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8. Oklahoma City (24-21, 11th place) might be the toughest first-round matchup of all if it can make the final eight in the West. For a young team, its 12-11 road record is impressive. So, too, is Kevin Durant (pictured), who clicks off 30-point games with regularity. Point guard Russell Westbrook is an equally tough matchup, and Thabo Sefoloshoa doesnât back down from the responsibility of dealing with Bryant. Rookie James Harden brings 9.9 points off the bench. The Oklahoma City crowd would also be a load in a Laker series.

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7. Houston (24-21, 10th place) wasn't supposed to be concerned with this postseason after it went into the season without Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady. Rick Adelman's creative coaching has changed all that, and the Rockets have a very balanced starting lineup and, in Carl Landry (pictured, right), one of the top frontcourt reserves in the NBA. Houston pushed the Lakers to seven games last season and Shane Battier can at least make Kobe Bryant labor for his points, and the Rockets have Trevor Ariza, too. Point guard Aaron Brooks averages 18.7 points. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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6. New Orleans (25-20, ninth place) is borrowing some mojo from the Saints and moving back in the playoff picture. The Hornets are 16-4 at home this year and, of course, have Chris Paul (pictured) to steal a postseason game or two. Emeka Okafor has given the Hornets a shot-blocking presence and Marcus Thornton, an LSU rookie, sometimes has big games off the bench. Going into tonight's home game with Chicago the Hornets have won 18 of 27. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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5. Phoenix (27-21, eighth place) might be the Lakers' preferred first round matchup. There's little the Suns can do to deal with the Lakers' paint game, and they've been trending in the wrong direction, especially with Leandro Barbosa injured. Steve Nash (pictured), Jason Richardson and Grant Hill are all shooting at least 44 percent from the 3-point line, and Goran Dragic has become a dependable backup point man. Gasol and Andrew Bynum would savor this matchup, especially if Phoenix decides to deal Amare Stoudemire. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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4. Memphis (25-19, seventh place) has shown there is life after the Pau Gasol trade with one of the most dynamic young lineups in the NBA. The Grizzlies have won eight of their previous 10 and Lionel Hollins is being touted for Coach of the Year. Memphis has the best rebound differential in the league but the third-worst field goal percentage defense, a function of youth. But when All-Star Zach Randolph (pictured) is roughhousing under the basket, and Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo are filling it up from outside, Memphis is a major problem, and point guard Mike Conley has emerged. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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3. Portland (27-20, sixth place) depends entirely on the doctors. The TrailBlazers always seem to have trouble bringing their entire team to the court and this year has been brutal, with Greg Oden out for the year and Brandon Roy currently injured. Travis Outlaw and Nicolas Batum are out, too. Point guard Andre Miller (pictured) has been around and Martell Webster is emerging as a shooter. Phil Jackson joked recently that the Portland trip has become an automatic loss, but a first-round series against the Blazers, particularly if the all-purpose Roy is healthy, is serious business. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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2. San Antonio (26-18, fifth place) is trying to postpone the inevitable rebuilding process by milking everything from Tim Duncan (pictured), who got 27 rebounds in a recent game. The Spurs thought they were getting another weapon in Richard Jefferson but he's only averaging 12.2 points. They've also had trouble staying healthy and Tony Parker has ankle problems. Manu Ginobili is also paying the price for years of banshee basketball. The Lakers' road usually goes through San Antonio but, this year, the Spurs wouldn't be the worst first-round option. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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1. Utah (27-18, fourth place) has one of the more natural home advantages in the league and has won eight of its previous 10. The Jazz's field goal percentage of .490 leads the NBA. A healthy Deron Williams, at point guard, means everything to the Jazz, a team that has played together for a few years now and has Carlos Boozer (pictured, 19.2 points, 10.7 rebounds) to pose a matchup problem. The Jazz also brings Paul Millsap off the bench. Biggest problem for the Lakers, who have had their way with Utah in recent playoffs, would be taking the Jazz seriously. TEXT BY MARK WHICKER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER; AP PHOTO

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